Merriman Market Analyst

Review and Preview

This Week’s report will be abbreviated due to the fact that I am currently participating in an astrological conference called “The Blast,” taking place in Sedona, Arizona. It is a most interesting conference, with a large degree of “young astrologers” making presentations. So I am honored to be on this faculty, and to witness the future of astrology.  And what I have observed so far is that future of astrology looks bright. This next generation appears much more rigorous with research and intellectually stimulated than previous generations, while at the same time very respectful of the work that prior generations have put forth.

Stock markets had a slightly bearish bent last week after posting highs the prior Friday, or Monday of last week, March 26. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, for instance, topped out on Friday, March 23, at 12,511, and then declined most of this past week, with an intraday low of 12,242 on Friday. It closed the week at 12,354, down about 127 points from the prior week, which is bearish, but certainly not as bearish as many may have expected. It is still well above the 11,939 low of March 14, but also well below the all-time high of 12,795 accomplished on February 20. In Japan, the Nikkei topped out on Monday at 17,558. It then fell all the way back top 17,036 on Thursday before closing the week at 17,287. This too is well above the 16,532 low of March 5, but also well below the yearly highs of 18,300 formed in the last week of February.

In contract, Gold and Silver were slightly bullish last week. Gold posted its highest level since March 1, when it was last above 680. On Wednesday, March 28, it got to 676.50 before shedding 15 dollars intraday the next day (June contract). It closed the week at 669, up about 5.50 from the prior week. The Euro was also slightly stronger, with the June contract reaching its yearly high during the day on Friday at 1.3442. It closed at 1.3394, up .60 for the week. But the bigger story was in Crude Oil, which soared to 66.70 intraday on Friday, a big breakout above the previous high for the year around 63.00, following the capture of British navy personnel who, allegedly, were “caught” in Iranian waters, a claim that is hotly disputed by British authorities. In the meantime, Iran holds hostage 15 British military personnel.

Short-Term Geocosmics

The fact that stock indices did not “crash” last week, while Crude Oil soared amidst a rash of negative news events, is not so surprising. As stated the prior two weeks, “ … transiting Mars will begin its translation over the Saturn-Neptune opposition and Jupiter-Saturn trine, March 22-25. This suggests a repeat of themes that were present around February 28 (the stock market began its plunge on February 27). This also pertains to Crude Oil, which has been falling steadily since it passed 62.00 on February 27. It was down below 59.00 intraday on Friday, so we look for another reversal here to start in the next week.” Later on, last week’s report also stated, “Our ideas that the stock market would rally from that double bottom low of March 5 and 14 into March 21-26, as spelled out to subscribers of our reports, has come true. But the extent of the rally is right up to important resistance now. Could it turn abruptly back now? Well, according to my understanding of geocosmics, the answer is yes. But there are other geocosmic signatures and mundane factors coming up April 5-9 (Jupiter retrograde and Sun trine Jupiter) that make me reticent to get aggressively bearish again just yet. Those can be bullish signatures too, just as Mars sextile to Jupiter on Friday was. Plus that week proceeds the Easter holiday, which gives traders along vacation. My experience is that is dangerous to get too aggressive a stock market that precedes a major holiday…. I am inclined to think that the markets may be more benign on any downturns the following week due to the Easter holidays and the Jupiter transits.”

This coming week will observe the stationary retrograde of Jupiter on April 5, followed by the trine of Sun and Jupiter on April 9. In most instances, these would be considered “harmonious” signatures, and would tend to prop stock prices up, especially as they unfold into the days leading into the major Easter holiday week. Actually, for Easter, the Sun will form a grand trine with Saturn and Jupiter (April 8-9). I don’t think it would be worse for traders to take aggressively bearish positions until this configuration ends.

Long-Term Thoughts

It is a holiday week coming up, and a religious one at that, so I don’t want to spend much time relating the negative events of the Saturn-Neptune opposition that continued in the news last week, both with respect to the continuing ethical challenges of the United States Congress and White House, nor the dispute over the British naval presence in (or not in) Iranian waters. The truth is, with Saturn and Neptune in opposition, deceit and lies are abundant, and no one can be sure who is telling the truth or not. The only thing you can be sure of is that someone is lying. These are not signatures of ignorance and unintentional violations of trust. They are usually intended to cause harm and embarrassment to others.

It the same time, we can look forward to the grand trine between the Sun, Jupiter, and Saturn next weekend, right during the Easter holiday. Perhaps leaders of the world will rise themselves to respond to the dynamic of “good will and trust” that this configuration can correspond to. Maybe, for this special day of the year, leaders can give “peace a chance.” It’s possible. And there is nothing wrong with hope. After all, no healing can take place without hope, even on the world stage.

Enjoy your holiday next weekend. The cosmic is aligned to bring you great joy and happiness, if you simply allow it. Being with those you love, and sharing activities that bring you mutual pleasure and joy, is the theme of this grand trine, so make the most of it and plan something special -with people who are special - in your life.